Jack WardlawBorn out of a modern relationship with business and travel, the COS x MR PORTER collection entitled The Modern Traveller has just launched in a worldwide exclusive collaboration between the two retailers. The minimalist aesthetic of COS has influenced the capsule collection, which is all about lightweight pieces that will work well, whether you’re in urban London or in rural Thailand.
In a simple palette of navy, white and burgundy, the collection reflects the clean, minimal lines of the COS brand, with a focus on high-quality, premium separates that can easily be paired together to create complete looks.
Speaking about the collection, Mr Sam Lobban, MR PORTER’s Senior Buyer says, “It all stems from the fact that many of us at MR PORTER are big fans of COS. We have a lot of respect for the brand’s ideals and integrity, which very much falls in line with ours, and it all comes across in the product’s quality and design that is very much in a class of its own.”
The collection itself is made up primarily of suiting options, lightweight jackets and smart basics, all of which have been created from high-quality, luxury fabrics like silk, natural cotton, wool and leather. These pieces are perfect for layering, reflecting the utilitarian considerations of the design process, which focused on practicality and comfort when travelling without compromising on style.
“For The Modern Traveller, we wanted to create a collection that reinterpreted function for every occasion” says Martin Andersson, COS’ Head of Menswear Design. “[we wanted to create] a collection where the tailored suit can take you from a business meeting in NYC to an art gallery opening in the evening.”
Modernity and minimalism being paired with travel and exploration doesn’t exactly sound like the most natural of combinations, but the COS collection is travelling done differently.
It seems at the moment that there is an unspoken rule that if you are going on holiday, you must take denim shorts, cheap brightly coloured T-shirts and ugly sandals that you wouldn’t wear at any other time of the year.
COS is challenging that assumption by making holiday dressing smart, sophisticated and achingly cool. Just because no one knows you while you’re on holiday, there is no excuse for not trying. The collection is available from www.mrporter.com/cos and at selected COS stores worldwide.